Question

What are the properties of radioactive decay?

Answer 1

Radioactive decay:

• Radioactive decay is the process in which a radioactive atom impulsively radiates rays in the form of energy or particles to reach a secured/stable state.
• The types of radioactive radiations are:

1. Alpha particles $\left(\mathrm{\alpha }\right)$ or $\left({}_2{}^4\mathrm{He}\right)$
2. Beta particles $\left(\mathrm{\beta }\right)$ or $\left({}_{-1}{}^0\mathrm{e}\right)$
3. Gamma particles $\left(\mathrm{\gamma }\right)$ or $\left({}_0{}^0\mathrm{\gamma }\right)$

Properties of Radioactive decay:

• The radioactive isotopes are very unstable in nature.
• The radioactive elements participating in radioactive decay emit radiation from a high energy state and return back to a lower energy state.
• The radioactive decay follows the first-order reaction.
• An example of $\mathrm{\alpha }$ decay is depicted below:

${}_{92}{}^{235}\mathrm{U}\to {}_{90}{}^{231}\mathrm{Th}+{}_2{}^4\mathrm{He}$